Definition
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
Skarns are formed during regional or contact metamorphism and from a variety of metasomatic processes involving fluids of magmatic, metamorphic, and/or marine origin
Origin
USA
USA, Australia
Discoverer
Unknown
Tornebohm
Etymology
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Quench
Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Dull and Soft
Dull
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Gold and Silver production, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Types
Cataclastic rock
Endoskarns
Features
Host Rock for Lead
Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Pseudotachylite is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Skarn is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite
Compound Content
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
Fracture
Uneven
Irregular
Streak
Light to dark brown
Light to dark brown
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Vitreous
Waxy and Dull
Specific Gravity
2.46-2.86
2.86
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Opaque
Density
2.7-2.9 g/cm3
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
South Korea
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka
Africa
Western Africa
South Africa, Western Africa
Europe
Great Britain, Switzerland
United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
South America
-
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
All about Pseudotachylite and Skarn Properties
Know all about Pseudotachylite and Skarn properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Pseudotachylite and Skarn belong to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Pseudotachylite is Quench whereas that of Skarn is Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough. Pseudotachylite appears Dull and Soft and Skarn appears Dull. The luster of Pseudotachylite is vitreous while that of Skarn is waxy and dull. Pseudotachylite and Skarn are available in black, brown, green, grey, pink, white colors. The commercial uses of Pseudotachylite are creating artwork, gemstone and that of Skarn are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo).